Rabbitohs beat Roosters 24-22

Issac Luke of the Rabbitohs is put on report for a dangerous tackle on Shaun Henny-Dowall of the Roosters during the round 19 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium on July 16, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Matt King - Getty Images

IT was a case of deja vu all over again as the Rabbitohs stole victory from the jaws of defeat against old rivals the Roosters in a thriller at Allianz Stadium last night.

Nathan Merritt's second try with a minute remaining looked just consolation for the Souths but from the kick-off a burst from Dave Taylor and some slick passing from the Rabbitohs ended in Adam Reynolds finishing off a length-of-the-field try next to the posts in sensational fashion.

Reynolds somehow kept his cool and slotted the conversion to give Souths a 24-22 win.

The game was a complete reversal of the round one fixture between these two arch rivals.

On that occasion it was Anthony Minichiello who went over at the death to give the Roosters and unlikely win.

And they looked home and hosed in last night's game after coming back from a 12-4 half-time deficit.

Nathan Merritt had given Souths the lead early after a great break from Greg Inglis before Boyd Cordner replied for the Roosters.

Andrew Everingham added another try for Souths before the Roosters took control after the break.

They withstood a spell of Souths pressure and then scored through Tautau Moga and Joseph Leilua.

Then when Mitchell Pearce rounded off a great attack to score and Braith Anasta added the extras it appeared as if the Roosters would celebrate Anasta's 250th NRL game in style.